DIRECTOR
THE TEAM
Manuel Del Valle
CEO & Director
Erika Aldana
Head of development
MANUEL DEL VALLE
Manuel Del Valle, a filmmaker from San Luis Potosí, Mexico, now based in Los Angeles, California, merges his formal education from ArtCenter College of Design and California College of the Arts. He has shaped his storytelling to evoke the essence of cautionary folktales and delve into themes of decay, transformation, connection, and disconnection.
His unique narrative approach led him to be shortlisted multiple times for the Ariel Award and also win at prominent film festivals including HBO's Urbanworld and La Habana International Film Festival among others. His work has also been selected for the Morelia International Film Festival, HollyShorts Film Festival, and featured in collaborations with the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
Currently, Del Valle is directing "The Unexpected Symptoms of a Peculiar Heart" in collaboration with Foton.Pictures and Antigravity Academy, led by Sundance alum Carlos Lopez Estrada. He is also developing "Sandclouds: The Feather Thief," a stop-motion project in collaboration with Guillermo del Toro’s 'Pinocchio' Mexican team. Amid these endeavors, he is also premiering his short film "In the Fold" at the Tribeca Festival as part of the Indeed Rising Voices initiative, spearheaded by Emmy nominee Lena Waithe.
Additionally, he is preparing for the launch of Nomad Heart Studios, with the goal of creating content that resonates on both social and cultural levels.
ERIKA ALDANA
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Erika, a Mexican artist, has risen to prominence in the artistic realm as an actress and producer since 2014. Holding a Master's degree in Human Development focused on Art Therapy and a Bachelor's degree in Communication and Entertainment Management, she has contributed to notable productions such as "Los Hijos de Dios-2021" by Sebastian Torres Greene, acclaimed at festivals like the Morelia International Film Festival 2022, Shorts Mexico 2023, and Guanajuato International Film Festival 2023. Additionally, her role as Production Coordinator in the music video "El cielo no es de nadie" showcased her versatility.
Erika's organic approach to scriptwriting, idea conceptualization, and emotional communication stem from her background as an actress. Her ability to empathize with characters and convey their inner worlds translates into powerful storytelling.
Selected for "Rising Voices season 4," Erika co-wrote "In the Fold," set to premiere at Tribeca 2024. Currently, she leads development at Nomad Heart Studios, where she serves as producer and co-writer for "Sandclouds: The Feather Thief," a stop-motion short film, among other ongoing projects.